River red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) are a dominant
ecological component of the floodplain forests of the Murray-Darling
River Basin and are under threat from a variety of sources (Cunningham
et al. in press). The aim of this project was to determine the
potential of river red gum for dendrochronological studies.
Determining community age structure, long-term growth patterns, and
the influence of river dynamics on population demography are critical
to developing mitigation and restoration strategies for river red gum
communities. A preliminary study by Argent et al. (1997) suggested
that crossdating of growth rings in river red gum may be possible. We
used a combination of crossdating and radiocarbon dating to test this
idea using river red gum from Gunbower Island on the Murray River.

Travel and logistical support for this project were provided by Monash
University's Early Career Researcher Program. Radiocarbon dates were
provided by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization
through grant AINSE05006.